BERMUDA GOVERNMENT Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment Department of Environmental Protection Mailing Address: Botanical Gardens Phone: 441-236-4201 P.O. Box HM 834 169 South Road Fax: 441-236-7582 Hamilton, Bermuda HM CX Paget, Bermuda DV 04 e-mail: fisheries@gov.bm Bermuda welcomes foreign sport fishing vessels and we hope that you enjoy fishing our waters. The Department of Environmental Protection works to enforce the Bermuda Fisheries legislation which consists of The Fisheries Act, 1972, The Fisheries Regulations, 2010 and a series of orders and subsidiary legislation made under the Act. Following are key provisions of this legislation. This is NOT a legal document and is provided for general information only. Foreign vessels must obtain a licence at, or prior, to entry if they wish to fish in Bermuda waters. Application forms may be downloaded from the Department website and Customs officers performing the port inspection will also have the forms. A foreign sport fishing vessel licence entitles the vessel to engage in offshore pelagic fishing only and does not cover the targeting of reef species. A separate application is required for an ancillary vessel to engage in fishing for reef fish on the Bermuda platform. A foreign sport fishing vessel licence does not entitle the vessel to: a) sell any fish (includes fish, shellfish, corals, etc.) b) engage in chartering or otherwise plying for hire c) attempt to ply for hire The taking and possession of spiny lobster is prohibited from April 1 through August 31. Harvest of lobster requires a licence from the Department of Environmental Protection. At present, lobster licences are only issued to Bermuda residents. Spearfishing requires a licence from the Department of Environmental Protection. At present, spearfishing licences are only issued to Bermuda residents. Bermuda encourages tag and release fishing. For additional information contact: Department of Environmental Protection - Marine Section Biology/Tagging Dr. Tammy Trott Tel. 2392325 Dr. Joanna Pitt Tel. 2392326 Enforcement Mr. John Edmunds, Head Warden Tel. 7053474 / 2392329 A certified scale for potential record fish is available through the Department of Environmental Protection. Bermuda has two International Game Fish Association representatives: John A. Barnes Robert Rego 535-1745 (days) 296-4767 & 236-6565 (home) 234-2070 (evenings) 295-1845 (work) 334-8526 (cellular) cbear@logic.bm rego.bobby@gmail.com
There are minimum sizes for retention of certain fish species. Fish less than the minimum size must be released back to the water alive. Minimum sizes (where FL = Fork Length, LJFL = Lower Jaw Fork Length) and weights are as follows: Blue Marlin White Marlin Bluefin tuna Bigeye Tuna Yellowfin Tuna Wahoo Swordfish Black Rockfish Yellowmouth Grouper Red Hind Hogfish Yellowtail Snapper Lane Snapper 250 pounds (114 kg) 55 pounds (235kg) 66 pounds (30 kg) or 45 inches FL (115 cm) 55 pounds (25 kg) or 49 inches LJFL (125 cm) 38 inches FL (95cm) 20 inches FL (50 cm) 14 inches FL (35 cm) 18 inches FL (45 cm) 12 inches FL (30 cm) 10 inches FL (25 cm) Fish of species subject to a minimum size restriction must be landed whole so that their length may be verified. These fish may be gutted. All other fish may be filleted at sea, but the skin must be left on so that the species may be verified. The following daily (24 hour) bag limits are in effect: Black Rockfish one per boat per day Yellowmouth Grouper one per boat per day Lane Snapper 30 per boat per day Red Hind 10 per boat per day (May through August) There are a number of permanently and seasonally protected areas where any fishing is prohibited. Please refer to the accompanying maps. The following are protected species. It is an offence to capture, kill or attempt to capture or kill any of the following: Nassau Grouper Mutton Hamlet Gag Grouper Spotted eagle rays Seahorses of all species Marine mammals of all species Queen Conch Bermuda Cone Shell Bermuda Scallop All Helmet and Bonnet Shells West Indian Top shell Red Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Tiger Grouper Parrotfish of all species Marine turtles of all species Corals of all types, including Sea Fans and Sea Rods Harbour Conch Netted Olive Shell Calico Scallop Calico Clams
Coral Reef Preserves. Areas marked with diagonal stripes are Coral Reef Preserves. It is prohibited to take or damage any organism attached to the seabed. Careful anchoring is key to avoiding damage to corals. Areas permanently closed to fishing. Areas marked with gray circles are dive sites that are permanently closed to fishing. These areas are marked with a central buoy and fishing is prohibited within a certain radius of the buoy. The size of the circle on the map is proportional to the area protected, and the radius varies from 300 m to 1 km. Special Closure of Fish Aggregating Area. The area off St. Georges shown in gray below is closed to all fishing from May 1 through June 30 in order to protect breeding fishes. A buoy marks the northwest corner.
Seasonally Protected Areas. Fishing is prohibited in the Seasonally Protected Areas, in gray, from May 1 through August 31. Fishing is prohibited in the Extended Closure Areas, outlined in red, from September 1 through November 29. Trolling for game fish is permitted outside of the 30 fathom depth contour. NOTE THAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SOUTHWESTERN SEASONALLY PROTECTED AREA HAVE CHANGED AS OF 2013.